Lijkstatie van prins Maurits in 1625, tekstblaadjes 7-12 1626

This print, made by Claes Jansz. Visscher around 1625, presents us with dense columns of text on a stark, off-white ground. The materiality of the print, with its fine lines and crisp typography, creates a sense of formal order, yet the sheer volume of text suggests a complex narrative. The print is part of a larger series documenting the funeral procession of Prince Maurits. These fragmented textual components invite a deeper exploration into the power structures of the time. The semiotic weight of the ordered lists and elaborate titles within the text points to a society deeply invested in hierarchy. The stark contrast between the black text and the white background emphasizes a sense of formality, mirroring the rigid social protocols of the Dutch Golden Age. Here, Visscher's attention to detail and typographical arrangement functions not merely as documentation but as a reflection of contemporary philosophical concerns related to social order and representation. Artworks like this, though seemingly straightforward, engage with the broader cultural and philosophical discourses of their time.